# NTSB DEN84FA278: Piper PA-18, N5895D, Meadow Lake, NM, September 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1984, 09:09 local (15:09 UTC)
- Place: Meadow Lake, NM
- Coordinates: 35.059146, -106.539291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0591&lon=-106.5393&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA278

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE PLT MAKE A X-WIND APCH FOR A LANDING FROM WEST TO EAST IN WINDS THAT WERE FROM THE SOUTH AT 10 TO 12 MPH. REPORTEDLY THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE RIGHT WING HIGH, THEN THE PLT APPLIED POWER & INITIATED A GO-AROUND AT ABOUT MIDFIELD. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF AT A SLOW SPEED & IMMEDIATELY TURNED NORTH, THEN TURNED BACK RIGHT TO THE EAST-NORTHEAST. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS FLYING ABOUT 30 TO 40 FT OFF THE GROUND WHEN THE NOSE ROSE SHARPLY & THE ACFT ASCENDED TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE DENSITY ALT AT THE ARPT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 8158 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5895D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5895D), registered now, S/N 18-5404, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-5404
- Airframe hours: 2186
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kip D Long
- Registered owner: Roger And Michael Gelder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1984, 32 hours before
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Airport: Valencia Community

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 69 total, 63 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840916048379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840916048379A), Sep 16, 1984: Piper PA18, Meadow Lake, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot could not handle crosswind landing, attempted go around, climbed, stalled and spun in. Density altitude 8158.

## Other investigations on N5895D (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA90LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA090), Jun 1, 1990: Piper PA18 (N5895D), Palouse, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOTS POORLY PLANNED APPROACH FOR LANDING.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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